in brief

100 still out of homes over NJ train derailment
PAULSBORO, N.J. — More than 100 people in southern New Jersey remained out of their homes Saturday as officials continued their efforts to clear a hazardous gas that spewed from a ruptured freight train car.

The precautionary evacuations in Paulsboro were ordered late Friday, hours after the train derailment, and will likely remain in effect throughout the weekend and possibly longer.

The order came after readings showed higher levels of vinyl chloride in the air. The gas, used to make the common plastic PVC, can make people dizzy or sleepy.

Officials say 106 people were told to leave and placed in hotels.

Meanwhile, officials continued the delicate cleanup and investigation that started after the train derailed on a bridge, sending four tanker cars partially into a creek and spewing the hazardous gas that sickened dozens of people.

Speaking at a news conference Saturday morning, Coast Guard Capt. Kathy Moore said crews would “exclusively be working” on removing the remaining chemicals, now in a solid state, out of the breached car.

Moore said there were no signs that any of the other train cars had been ruptured, but added “there’s still a lot we don’t know.”

Official: Hamas leader Mashaal set to visit Gaza
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The leader of Gaza’s ruling Hamas group will visit the Palestinian territory for the first time, an official said Saturday, a sign of increasing boldness of the Islamic militant movement after it held its own against an Israeli military offensive.

Khaled Mashaal was set to arrive in the Gaza Strip this week by crossing the border from Egypt to mark Hamas’ 25th anniversary and congratulate its leaders and fighters for battling Israel during the recent eight-day offensive, according to a senior Hamas official in Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

Mashaal previously had been prevented from crossing into Gaza by longtime Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. But Mubarak was ousted in February 2011, and the Muslim Brotherhood, which has close ties to Hamas, has risen to power.

Mashaal has led Hamas since 1996, helping to build the Iranian-backed movement into a potent force. The group has been branded a terrorist organization by Israel, the U.S. and the European Union.